BREAKING: INEC clears Chinda for Rivers guber poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially authorized Kingsley Chinda to run for the governorship position in Rivers State's election slated for 2027. Chinda was listed as the fifth candidate on the electoral commission's 19-man list, which was released on Saturday. Prior to his addition to the list, Chinda served as the minority leader of the House of Representatives and was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His selection as the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the upcoming gubernatorial election has generated considerable interest, as the news of his defection to the APC did not initially make headlines. The attention on Chinda and other prominent political figures intensified following the Supreme Court's decision to uphold Sections 77(5), (6), (7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.

These sections prohibit political parties from nominating candidates whose names are not included in the membership register submitted to INEC within the required timeframe. Despite this legal development, Chinda, who is allied with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, was ultimately chosen to finalize the governorship list. Additional details are yet to be provided.